Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and director Kiran Rao, the stellar couple of the Indian cinema industry, have on Saturday shocked the fans by announcing their divorce. They were married for 15 years and now the couple had mutually decided to remain as a co-parent for their son, Azad. Though their personal life had eroded, they will keep their active participation in the movies and in charitable activities.

In what has become an unanticipated event, the news of their divorce had made national headlines with fans from across and beyond the borders had expressed their shock over the news. Being startled by the development, the fans have put their speculations over the divorce on social media. The couple had said that though they are getting a divorce, they are beginning a new chapter and will continue to co-parent their son, Azad. 

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the couple said, "In these 15 beautiful years together, we have shared a lifetime of experiences, joy, and laughter, and our relationship has only grown in trust, respect, and love. Now we would like to begin a new chapter in our lives - no longer as husband and wife, but as co-parents and family for each other. We began a planned separation some time ago, and now feel comfortable to formalize this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does."  

"We remain devoted parents to our son Azad, who we will nurture and raise together. We will also continue to work as collaborators on films, Paani Foundation, and other projects that we feel passionate about. A big thank you to our families and friends for their constant support and understanding about this evolution in our relationship, and without whom we would not have been so secure in taking this leap", they further penned.

The couple said, "We request our well-wishers for good wishes and blessings, and hope that like us- you will see this divorce not as an end, but as the start of a new journey". According to reports, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao had first got acquainted on the sets of 'Lagaan' in which Aamir Khan had played the lead role while Kiran was the assistant director. 

The two got married on December 28, 2005, and they have a son named Azad Rao Khan. This was Aamir Khan's second marriage and he was earlier married to Reena Dutta and Khan-Dutta couple have two children - Junaid and Ira Khan. Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao had in December 2020 celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary at the Gir National Park along with Azad and the actor's daughter Ira Khan. 

"We began a planned separation some time ago and now feel comfortable to formalize it. We remain devoted to our son Azad, who we will nurture and raise together. We will also work as collaborators on films, Pani Foundation, & other projects," the couple said in a joint statement pic.twitter.com/P54bSIisO8

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2021